Gov. Mike Beebe, speaking Wednesday at the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting in Little Rock, said Medicaid expansion is the best way to avoid cuts to nursing care for 10,000 to 15,000 senior citizens and disabled people. Article, 3A

LITTLE ROCK  Gov. Mike Beebe and legislative leaders say they believe a compromise on expanding Medicaid in Arkansas is still possible despite the Obama administration telling states they can’t do a partial expansion and receive full federal funding.

Beebe and top lawmakers said Tuesday that the directions from the federal government at least provide some clarity on the options available for expanding Medicaid.

Republicans have generally opposed the expansion, but had left open the possibility of a compromise that could include changes for the program. They had also floated the idea of partial expansion.

The federal health-care law expanded Medicaid to cover people up to 138 percent of the federal poverty line, or about $15,400 for an individual. The Supreme Court has said states can opt out of expansion.